The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-09
Testimonial to Hon. E. Barksdale.

On the 10th instant number of the
Hon. E. Barksdale's friends from the 9TH
District, who are temporarily sojourn-
Ing in Washington, and have had oppor-
tunity to observe his unremitting atten-
ton to his public duties, as testimonial
of their good will and appreciation of
him SIS a man, and a Representative,
presented him with a superb silver set,
beautifully carved, and appropriately
inscribed. J. w. Garrett, Esq, of Mad
ison, delivered the presentation address
in behalf of the donors, as follows:
Mr.. BARKsDALE: Your stewardship
for the Seventh Mississippi District is
drawing to close. We, of your con-
stituency, who have been on the ground,
have seen your labors, and know how
well you have fulfilled you trust. In
recognition of your fidelity to the inter
ests of our State and District, and in
appreciation of your personal courtesy
and kindness to ourselves, we present
you this token, trusting that upon your
return home, a grateful constituency
will echo our words, well done, good
and faithful servant"
To this address Mr.. Barksdale replied :,
liz Friends Words are inadequate to
the expression of my gratitude for this
manifestation of your kindness. If l
had many tongues, and each was charged
with eloquent speech, | would still be
unable to express all that feel. | APP
preciate your offering as token of per-
sonal esteem and of appreciation of my
official conduct. If my course has won
your applause, it is because / have been
governed by convictions of duty as a
public servant, and in my intercourse
with my fellow-men | have endeavored
to be guided by the precept of our
Saviour: "As We would have others do
unto you, do ye, even so, unto them"
The impartial judgment, and disinter-
ested attachment of friends like your
selves, have given me more Joy than all
the honors of political preferment.
In my official conduct | have endeav-
ored TO demonstrate that public Office is
not personal perquisite, but an instru-
mentality of public service. In its dis
charge, have displayed upon my flag
| the creed which / believed to be right,
and to my public duties | have dedi-
Gated the utmost energy of my nature.
| The occasion is not suitable for recital
of what have done, and what | have
aimed TO accomplish, during the brief
period of my Congressional service. The
| Congressional Record will bear testl-
monv that | have remained constantly
at my post of duty; that / have been a
steadfast supporter of all those measures
of public policy, and of reform to which
the Democratic party is pledged, and
that in caring especially for the inter
ests of the State to which my first allie
| glance is due, and to the immediate con-
stituencv who have honored me, have
not been unmindful of the common
country, whose protecting egis extends
over US all. In returning to private
life, it is a pleasant reflection that the
strictest scrutiny has failed to discover
flaw in my official record. As in the
insect kingdom, there are flesh flies, thai
skim over what is pure, to light upon
that which is unsound, so there are
lcynics who habitually pass over what Is
meritorious, to detect objects of censure
If | cared for the reproach of such crit
les, | would rejoice that in my officia
acts they had found nothing for the
qualification of their propensity. Oi
such a record, unpretentious as it is,
am prouder than if had been crowned
with the highest honors the country
could bestow
| With you, my friends, | leave my
earnest invocation for your prosperity
None of you have advanced beyond thu
meridian of life; and some have barely
crossed its threshold. In contending
for its prizes, you will be sure that YOU
path leads upward, and that there is al
ways room at the top.